8 Cool Things to do in Milwaukee on Memorial Day

Strolling along the two-mile long RiverWalk by the Milwaukee River is an excellent and unique way to get to know Milwaukee on Memorial Day weekend. You can stop at one of many great restaurants or brewpubs along the way. Numerous exhibitions of public art turn the RiverWalk into a sort of outdoor gallery where you can see the current art trends in the city.

Many colorful signs placed along the Riverwalk explain the city's history. The Riverwalk area is also a venue for many annual city events such as River Rhythms and the Milwaukee River Challenge. The Riverwalk area links three of the most interesting Milwaukee districts: Downtown, Historic Third Ward, and Beerline B.

You might think you’ve somehow left Milwaukee when you enter the Mitchell Park Horticultural Conservatory (The Domes) during Memorial Day. Once inside, you can choose from several Domes, each one offering a unique experience. The Desert Dome showcases one of the world’s greatest collections of shrubs, cacti, and other intriguing plant life found in the desert.

The Tropical Dome, on the other hand, has lush greenery, flowers, and nut and fruit bearing trees. You can hear the rushing waterfall in the distance, and be on the lookout for the exotic birds that call this area home. The Floral Show Dome bursts with color, and its beautiful gardens of flowers are always a treat.

The Historic Third Ward is located south of downtown Milwaukee and is one of the top Milwaukee attractions. Originally a busy and rough warehouse district known as the location of frequent brawls, it used to be called “Bloody Ward.” Today it is the trendy Milwaukee's Arts and Fashion District, with a number of popular restaurants, theaters, spas, galleries, and boutiques.

It is home to the Third Ward Riverwalk, the Milwaukee Public Market, Milwaukee Institute of Art and Design (MIAD), and the Broadway Theatre Center. Third Ward’s renaissance has attracted many locals who enjoy the unique atmosphere so much that they decided to buy one of the renovated warehouses-turned-condos. The Third Ward is fun, lively neighborhood to visit to do some shopping, see a show, or just stroll around on Memorial Day.

The Milwaukee County Zoo is a fun wooded park spread across 200 acres that provides a home and natural habitat for 3,122 animals belonging to 377 different species. It is amazing how far the zoo has come since its modest beginnings in the 1890s. It started as a tiny mammal and bird zoo in a barn at what is now Washington Park.

You can visit mammals, fish, birds, amphibians, and reptiles at this exhilarating zoo. Most of the animals are alive and thriving, and some, like the dinosaurs, are just a part of the special outdoor exhibit, which includes moving, spitting, roaring life-sized dinosaur models. If you are wondering what to do in Milwaukee on Memorial Day, the Milwaukee County Zoo is a great place to visit with the whole family. The Zoological Society's Education Department organizes tours for school and youth groups, day camps, family programs, and workshops.

The Milwaukee Public Museum is a natural and human history museum in downtown Milwaukee that first opened to the public in 1884. It has 150,000 square feet of exhibit space on three floors and is one of the best things to do in Milwaukee. It showcases permanent and temporary travelling exhibits and houses the first IMAX Theater in Wisconsin.

The museum moved to its current location, formerly the Milwaukee Central Library, in 1962. It has gained a worldwide reputation for its collections, exhibits, scientific research, and educational programs. Everything, starting with the Hebior Mammoth at the entrance to the museum and going to the hall of shells in the Living Ocean exhibit, is designed to grab the attention and spark the imagination of both adults and children. You and your family must visit during Memorial Day.

Best Place at the Historic Pabst Brewery is a tavern, event center, and a gift shop located in the old Historic Pabst Brewery. Owner Jim Haertel has lovingly restored The Best Place, as well as some parts of the old brewery.

For a small fee, you can take a guided tour that starts at The Best pub and takes you through the history of Pabst brewery from 1844 when Best & Company started its life right up to today. That small fee includes a 16 oz. Pabst or Schlitz on tap.

The tour takes you to the historic Blue Ribbon Hall where you will hear the fascinating history of Pabst Brewery. You can stroll through the preserved areas of the old brewery and try to imagine the days when the brewery was buzzing with activity. In a city where the history of beer reflects the history of the city’s ups and downs, visiting The Best will help you understand just what makes Milwaukee tick. You will also be able to taste some absolutely outstanding beer.

The Milwaukee Public Market, located in the Historic Third Ward neighborhood, is one of the prime attractions of the area, and it serves as the location where the locals, farmers, artisans, and tourists all get together to get some delicious fresh local food, load up on supplies, do some people-watching, or just stroll around.

The choice of goodies is huge: baked goods, meats, soups, produce, seafood, cheese, wine, spices, coffee, and candies. If you’re interested in non-edible items, you can find flowers, clothes, and other trinkets. Palm Garden, situated on the second floor, is the place to sit down, rest, and nibble on some of the tasty treats you just bought. The market also regularly puts on popular cooking classes and cooking demonstrations. The market is open every day especially during Memorial Day.

Lakeshore State Park isn’t your average park. This unique urban retreat located in the city has gorgeous views of the skyline, but it certainly isn’t lacking in outdoor activities. There’s a plethora of attractions and recreation available right along the shores of Lake Michigan.

Take yourself and your four-legged companion out for a run on any one of the parks many paths, or go biking or skating along the paved trails. When the lake is calling your name, feel free to go kayaking or canoeing on the lagoons. If you have a boat, take it out for a ride on the scenic lake and get a fantastic view of the city and the surrounding areas.